Pubdate: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 2013 Orlando Sentinel Contact: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325 Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs. Author: Aaron Deslatte LAWMAKERS CHALLENGE MARIJUANA BALLOT ISSUE Republican leaders in the Florida Legislature served notice Wednesday that they intend to challenge a medical-marijuana ballot question before the state's Supreme Court. House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, filed a notice with the Florida Supreme Court that they intend to challenge the wording of the constitutional question being bankrolled by Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan. But the two lawmakers argue their opposition is not based on the merits of dispensing medical marijuana for sick patients - but because they think the ballot language is overly broad and could lead to an explosion of pot shops "on every street corner." A similar argument is being made by Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is expected to argue against the amendment at a Dec. 5 hearing before the court. The court has the authority to block the question from the November 2014 ballot if it deems the language is misleading or covers more than one subject. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom